France to require civic examination for multi-year residency starting 2026

France will require a new civic examination for people seeking a multi-year residency permit, with the policy slated to take effect at the start of 2026. The 40-question, multiple-choice test will be delivered in French and assess applicants’ knowledge of the Republic’s history, culture and political system. Applicants must answer at least 32 of the 40 questions correctly to qualify. The government says the exam is intended to strengthen integration and ensure newcomers share core French values, while critics say the questions risk discouraging people from pursuing residency.

The examination covers a mix of facts and concepts, from straightforward items like the Republic’s motto to more philosophical prompts about secularism, equality and freedom. The official guidance lists subjects including the principles and values of the Republic, the institutional and political system, rights and duties, history, geography and culture, and French society. Some sample questions illustrate both ends of the spectrum: basic facts such as the national motto and the location of the Eiffel Tower, alongside prompts asking why secularism should be respected in schools and what freedom means.

Six sample questions and their answers have been circulated with the materials for prospective applicants: 1) What does the date of July 14 represent for France? Answer: Bastille Day. 2) Which animal is a symbol of France? Answer: Gallic Rooster. 3) Who is Marianne? Answer: The female personification of France after the Revolution. 4) What year did the French revolution begin? Answer: 1789. 5) Who was Albert Camus? Answer: French philosopher born in Algeria in 1913. 6) What is the Marseillaise? Answer: The national anthem.

The policy comes amid broader demographic signals concerning France’s population. Government data show the country, with about 68.6 million residents, hosts roughly 7.1 million legal immigrants, and issued 343,000 new residency permits last year. A separate study from the National Institute of Demographic Studies said deaths in France exceeded births for the first time in at least a century, excluding wartime periods, underscoring pressures related to population aging and migration.

Supporters of the new civic examination say it is a tool to ensure that newcomers understand and can participate in French public life, strengthening social cohesion and the country’s political culture. They argue the test provides a clear baseline of civic knowledge that accompanies formal rights to reside. Critics, however, say the exam is a barrier that could deter people from pursuing residency or create uneven access to status, particularly for those with limited French literacy or who come from diverse educational backgrounds.

Officials stress that the test will apply only to applicants seeking multi-year residency permits, not to short-term visitors. They also emphasize that the exam will be administered in French, with the intention of assessing language-related comprehension of civic material alongside content about France’s institutions and values. The government has not announced any changes to the policy timeline beyond its stated start in 2026, but lawmakers and advocacy groups are watching how the measure might interact with broader immigration and integration efforts across Europe.